{"id":628957,"date":"2024-07-12T14:29:59","date_gmt":"2024-07-12T18:29:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=628957"},"modified":"2026-03-16T13:24:26","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T17:24:26","slug":"xolair-vs-dupixent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/xolair-vs-dupixent\/","title":{"rendered":"Xolair vs. Dupixent: Differences, similarities & side effects"},"content":{"rendered":"

Xolair<\/span><\/a> (omalizumab) and <\/span>Dupixent<\/span><\/a> (dupilumab) are two brand-name injectable medications indicated for treating asthma, among other inflammatory or autoimmune conditions. They are classified in a group of drugs called monoclonal antibodies, a type of biologic.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBiologics are complex medications that are typically made from DNA technology. Overall, biologics are an innovative treatment option for many rare or complex disease states,\u201d said <\/span>Christina Bookwalter, Pharm.D.<\/span><\/a>, a clinical pharmacist practitioner in Minneapolis, Minnesota.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the case of Xolair and Dupixent, the biologics are antibodies, or protective proteins. They work by binding to the part of the immune system that causes allergic inflammation, said Jason M. Bellak, MD, an allergy\/immunology physician and president of <\/span>Allergy & Asthma Center<\/span><\/a> in Las Vegas.<\/span><\/p>\n

Though similar in some ways, Xolair and Dupixent have notable differences in their ingredients and approved uses.<\/span><\/p>\n

Xolair vs. Dupixent: Key differences<\/span><\/h2>\n

Xolair and Dupixent are both brand-name biologic injections, but they work differently. The main difference is their mechanism of action or the specific biochemical reaction they trigger in the body.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cXolair attaches to allergic antibodies called IgE antibodies, thereby decreasing allergic asthma, chronic hives, and food allergy reactions,\u201d Dr. Bellak explained. \u201cDupixent is an antibody to what is called the interleukin 4 receptor alpha chain that is shared with interleukin 13. Interleukin 4 and 13 are key pro-allergic inflammatory chemicals. By blocking those chemicals, Dupixent decreases allergic inflammation.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Because they work somewhat differently, Xolair and Dupixent are also indicated for different types of asthma.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Xolair vs. Dupixent: Compare key differences<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

<\/td>\nXolair<\/b><\/td>\nDupixent<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Drug class<\/b><\/td>\nMonoclonal antibody, biologic<\/span><\/td>\nMonoclonal antibody, biologic<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Brand\/generic status<\/b><\/td>\nBrand<\/span><\/td>\nBrand<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the generic name?<\/b><\/td>\nomalizumab<\/span><\/td>\ndupilumab<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What form(s) does the drug come in?<\/b><\/td>\nAuto-injector or pre-filled syringe or vial<\/span><\/td>\nPen-injector or prefilled syringe<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the standard dosage?<\/b><\/td>\n75\u2013600 mg injection every 2 to 4 weeks depending on diagnosis<\/span><\/td>\n200\u2013300 mg injection every other week depending on diagnosis<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
How long is the typical treatment?<\/b><\/td>\nLong-term<\/span><\/td>\nLong-term\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Who typically uses the medication?<\/b><\/td>\nAdults, adolescents, and children ages 1 and older<\/span><\/td>\nAdults, adolescents, and children ages 6 months and older<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Xolair vs. Dupixent: Conditions treated<\/span><\/h2>\n

When comparing <\/span>Xolair<\/span><\/a> versus <\/span>Dupixent<\/span><\/a>, it is also essential to know that they are approved to treat different but overlapping conditions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey are both approved for the treatment of chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps in adults,\u201d Dr. Bellak said. They\u2019re also both approved for the treatment of moderate-severe asthma for people ages 6 and older, but Xolair is specifically approved to treat allergic asthma, while Dupixent is approved to treat severe eosinophilic asthma, which occurs when white blood cells called eosinophils cause airway inflammation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beyond that overlap, Xolair is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU)\u2014previously referred to as chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU)\u2014the medical term for hives with no cause. In 2024, the <\/span>FDA also approved Xolair for accidental exposure<\/span><\/a> in people with food allergies.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dupixent, on the other hand, is FDA-approved for use in the treatment of eczema, medically known as atopic dermatitis (AD), eosinophilic esophagitis, and prurigo nodularis, a chronic skin disorder.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In many cases, these biologics are only approved for severe cases of the above conditions or cases in which first-line treatments\u2014such as an inhaler for asthma\u2014have not effectively controlled symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Xolair vs. Dupixent: Compare conditions treated<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Condition<\/b><\/td>\nXolair<\/b><\/td>\nDupixent<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Asthma<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Chronic hives with no known cause<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Food allergies<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Eczema (atopic dermatitis)<\/span><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Eosinophilic esophagitis\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Prurigo nodularis<\/span><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Dupixent vs. Xolair: Which is better?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Even in a head-to-head comparison of Xolair versus Dupixent, there is no clear winner. The two drugs are both effective, but they treat different conditions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n